After breaking his leg against Everton in August, during the second Premier League game of the season, Giroud was expected to be out of action until the new year.

Wenger signed Danny Welbeck from Manchester United on deadline day in the summer to cope with his absence.

But Giroud recovered ahead of schedule and was back in the first-team squad for the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United on 22 November, scoring a sensational goal coming off the bench after missing nine Premier League games.